levels by various fisheries. Consumption can be 

 divided into subsistence consumption, local trade, 

 and international trade. This is particularly 

 important with regard to the take of Eretmochelys 

 imbricata . which negatively affects conservation 

 efforts. This trade should be subjected to 

 intense surveillance. The level of legal 

 protection afforded to the species varies from 

 total to none at all. In spite of the existence 

 of legislation, exploitation continues mainly in 

 an incidental way. Community participation in 

 beach protection projects is encouraged to further 

 conservation efforts. 



Development plans should be monitored 

 especially in areas important for foraging and 

 nesting. Population levels must be quantified and 

 monitored at the most significant nesting beaches. 

 Catch levels by various fishing methods should be 

 quantified. Trade should be quantified as local, 

 national, or international. 



KUMPF ; Subreqion North America 



In the United States, Lepidochelys kempi 

 shows an annual decline of 3%. Incidental capture 

 by shrimping is the major cause of juvenile 

 mortality. Chelonia mydas appears to show an 

 increase in number of nests in Florida but is 

 still far below historical levels. Eretmochelys 

 imbricata nests in low but apparently stable 

 numbers. In certain areas, levels of Caretta 

 caretta are decreasing at 3-5% per year such as in 

 South Carolina and Georgia, but appear stable on 

 the east coast of Florida. The overall data 

 indicate that the population may still be 

 declining. Dermochelys coriacea nesting appears 

 stable in Florida since 1980, but its overall 

 status is unknown. 



In Mexico, nesting of Lepidochelys kempi is 

 decreasing at the rate of 3% per year since 1978. 

 The status of Chelonia mydas , Eretmochelys 

 imbricata . Caretta caretta, and Dermochelys 

 coriacea is generally unknown. 



In the United States, TED regulations and tow 

 time restrictions are in place offshore and 

 inshore, respectively. Possession of turtles is 

 prohibited, and in certain areas beach development 

 is regulated. 



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